Adam1701D

I have completed my revisions to the DRS artwork and these should be heading to Rails for checking next week.

I'm afraid there is not time to add the "Colarised" 59003 to the next batch, as this has been locked down after the addition of the Hanson loco. It is drawn up with a view towards Batch 3, though 😎

You would need to ask C&M regarding any future run for the Scotrail Mk3s. I didn't get one at the time and ended up using Fox Transfers for the stripes and Railtec for the lettering. I consider myself very fortunate in having the matching 47 and DBSO from Farish. The Mark 3s are always good sellers and we are already looking at liveries for 2025 onwards, both loco-hauled and HST.

I am not sure why these were not added to the Mark 3 - possibly as they are an earlier model. It is a great feature and would be nice to see on any future gangwayed coach designs. Our Class 142 Pacer also has the same pull-out corridor connections.

Thanks for the feedback on the samples. I have made a few changes to the artwork, including Jo's observations (thanks Jo!). The brake discs will be metallic on the production sample and the vinyl Aurora nameplate will be present. Should be getting my mitts on the DRS samples very shortly. 🙂

Here is a better front view. I do not know if the windows necessarily droop or if there is a little more peak to the roofline. The real test will be to inspect the decorated samples, which are due soon, to see how well the overall look of a 56 has been captured.

Once both Dapol and Rails have approved the decoration, then Rails will hopefully share the pictures and it it will be "go" for production.

We have received the deco sample of 88010 in Cool Freight livery, which looks really good. The DRS ones should not be too far behind.

There is an excellent resource for old Dapol and Farish catalogues HERE. https://www.ness-st.co.uk/N-gauge-catalogues.html The Farish 1978 product poster is the last mention of the OO Gauge range of coaches and wagons. I recall the Farish OO Gauge models tended to linger on shelves for several years after this!

I recall some of the coaches and wagons lasting into the late 1970s with the black and gold packaging.

We are now looking at mid-April for all the decos, as the factory has spent a lot of time on the DRS versions getting the livery right. The fade-outs of the turquoise into the blue and the "spider-web" , which fades from white to pink has been really challenging. We have been sent some pictures of the bodies in the basic livery and they look superb. Cannot wait to see the fully-decorated and finished locos. 88010 in Cool Freight livery has been completed and is spot-on. We will share pictures once we have the decos properly photographed.

Please remember that we have had Chinese New Year since 13 Feb, which can cause a big hiatus to anything from China. The biggest reason for a lack of updates is that there is nothing to update.

Decos now due end of March / early April. I do not like the wait, either! I'd better watch my back - I think someone's after my job 😀

I am really sorry about the delay to the O Gauge 66, which is partially my fault, taking over the project half way through. The first EP unfortunately contained a number of errors, which has meant a complete retool. We are making a number of improvements, including backing to the engine room grilles with lighting, smoke and DCC sound provision. The new EPs should be ready in a couple of months and the artworks are all done and ready to go. The 66 is the biggest loco we have ever tackled and will be well worth the wait. Please keep the faith!

There's something about that black and silver...